Grey ink tattoos: pros and cons

One of the most important decisions of the tattoo process will be determining whether your design should be in color or black and gray. Perhaps you haven't given your tattoo much more thought than "Getting one would be rad." We love spontaneity as much as the next person, but since your tattoos are an expressive and artistic statement, giving a little more time to this decision might make the whole process smoother. Looking for guidance? We talked to professional tattoo artists Dillon Forte and Nick the Tailor to get the low-down on what to consider when you're choosing between before and after Dorothy gets to Oz. Read on to learn more about both color options and what is right for you.

Meet the Expert

• Dillon Forte is a tattoo artist that counts names like Kehlani, Usher, and Chris Hemsworth among his clients. He specializes in black and white geometric pattern work at Sri Yantra Tattoo in Oakland, California.
• Nick "the Tailor" Solomon, is a tattoo artist and founder of the New Chapters Tattoo Project. He specializes in black and white, finely-detailed work, and is the shop owner of Crown and Feather Tattoo Co. in Philadelphia.

The Benefits of Color Tattoos

If you want a tattoo as bright as your personality, then color is the way to go. Several tattoo schools naturally gravitate to colorwork: Old School Traditional, New School, Watercolor, Japanese, and Illustrative are all styles that lend themselves well to color. Some tattoo artists specialize in colorwork, or a particular style of tattoo, which is why checking out portfolios is so important. "When choosing an artist, one should look at their portfolios and pick someone who they are most in alignment with, and let them do their job and trust the process," says Forte. Be sure to check out photos with healed tattoos instead of fresh work; a healed tattoo will look different without the swelling, irritation, and possible bleeding from a brand-new piece.

Set on color for your new ink? Also consider the size of your piece. "Colorwork has brightness and hue as well as value to consider," says Nick, "so you have more options, but at a small scale, many of the colors will visually blend and become muddy." Your artist may suggest changing your piece's size to maintain color integrity or simplifying the color palette to avoid a dirty-looking result.

Do you have questions, doubts, or concerns about the tattoo process, or have you changed your mind on some aspects of your piece? Don't be afraid to speak up! "If there’s something about the design or placement that you would like changes, please say something," says Nick. "Tattoo shops can be an intimidating place—but it’s best for everyone if you express your feelings."

The Benefits of Black and Gray Tattoos

Looking for a bold, stark contrast, or intricate patterns? Black and gray tattoos are here for you. Realism, Tribal, and Blackwork are all styles of tattoo that suit themselves to this simple but never boring palette. But wait—there are variations of monochromatic tattoos. "There are three types of black and gray tattoos," says Nick. "First is blackwork, which is only black ink and skin tone, with no gradation. The second is black and gray, which uses black ink mixed with water to create lighter and darker tones. Lastly is ‘opaque gray’ tattoos, which use black ink mixed with white ink to create the color gray, which is then used." Familiarize yourself with and determine which of these three categories will be the best fit for you.

Things like teeny finger tattoos, small scripts, and delicate designs can all be executed beautifully in black and gray. "Tighter, more detailed work tends to work better in black and gray," says Nick. "With black and gray, the most important consideration is value. Light vs. dark tones. This lends itself to readability, even on a small scale."

The Appointment and Aftercare

The lengths and number of appointments vary widely from artist to artist and client to client. "A general rule of thumb is scale and intricacy increase time," says Forte. "So if [the tattoo is] large and intricate, it will take a lot of time." Communication with your artist during the process is key to ensuring you both stay comfortable and get the best result.

Eat a healthy breakfast before you head out to get inked. "Do not come to the appointment hungry, as this can cause a drop in blood sugar," warns Nick. You might consider bringing some snacks with you if you've got a long session planned.

Tattoo aftercare, whether you go full rainbow or film noir tones, is crucial. Washing your ink frequently with gentle soap keeps it clean during the healing process. Keeping the skin moisturized will help take the edge off the unbearable itching as your tattoo heals. Slathering on a hearty SPF whenever you're headed out will keep your design as crisp and bright as it was on day one.

The Final Takeaway

If you do your research, communicate with your artist, and commit to proper care, your personal piece of artwork will stay bold and vibrant for years to come.

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